MMA Preview – Jussier Formiga vs Joseph Benavidez 2 at UFC on ESPN 3
THE FACTS
When is UFC on ESPN 3? Sunday 30th June, 2019 - 01:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC on ESPN 3? Target Center, Minneapolis, Minnesota
What channel is UFC on ESPN 3 on? BT Sport 1
Where can I stream UFC on ESPN 3? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live and you can take advantage of a free trial with ESPN+ and subscribe now by clicking here!
Are tickets still available for UFC on ESPN 3? https://www.ufc.com/tickets
THE STATISTICS
THE LOWDOWN
Two of the best flyweights in the world meet again after their 2013 scrap and although the division is completely up in the air now, that won’t stop Jussier Formiga from seeking vengeance over perennial top contender Joseph Benavidez.
Since losing to Benavidez, Formiga has gone 8-2 in the UFC, losing to Henry Cejudo and Ray Borg. The Brazilian is now on a four-fight winning streak, submitting Ben Nguyen and Ulka Sasaki before earning unanimous decisions over Sergio Pettis and Deiveson Figueiredo, pushing him up to #1 spot in the rankings.
That spot that has seemingly always been occupied by Benavidez until injuries forced him on to the side lines. After scraping past the current champion Henry Cejudo in December 2016, Benavidez returned after 18 months and looked rusty in losing a decision to Pettis. However, he has begun to regain his form with a TKO over Alex Perez and a unanimous decision over Dustin Ortiz.
THE PREDICTION
This is going to be a fast-paced tactical battle. Formiga is a phenomenal grappler as a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Judo earning 10 submission wins and, with zero knockouts on his win record, it is clear where the threat lies.
Benavidez has always been one of the most well-rounded flyweights in the world and is an excellent grappler himself but he will be wise to keep the fight on the feet with a clear speed and technical advantage.
This is likely to go to a decision and if Benavidez can avoid any mistakes and prevent ending up on his back, he will have the class to outpoint the Brazilian.
Winner: Benavidez via Decision
Striking and grappling stats sourced via FightMetric.
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